By Andrew Topping, Local Democracy Reporter
Opposition groups have labelled major changes to Nottinghamshire County Council’s constitution as a “sad day” for democracy at the authority.
The Conservative-led council approved changes to its rulebook on Thursday (July 13) one year after switching the way it does business from a committee-based method to a cabinet model.
Leaders said the new changes would make meetings more efficient and relevant.
But the changes, which affect some open debates, have sparked opposition concerns of a “democratic deficit” at public meetings.
The changes will mean each of the three main political parties is limited to bringing only one motion to full council meetings for debate.
These meetings take place six times a year and usually allow any councillor or group to suggest items or issues for broad discussion.
Motions regularly discuss a raft of issues and can influence council policies or call for councillors to take action on certain issues.
Recent motions discussed at County Hall included a debate on smart motorways and one on supporting care leavers.
Before Thursday’s decision, each political group could submit as many motions for debate as they liked.
Some recent meetings saw both the Labour and Independent Alliance groups submitting two or three motions each for debate.
However, meetings frequently don’t have sufficient time for all motions to be debated and many are frequently carried over to the next meeting.
Now the changes – proposed and backed only by ruling Conservative councillors in the chamber – have reduced this down to one motion per group.
A maximum of 60 minutes will also now be afforded to each motion, with time limits previously unlimited.
And the scope of motions has been significantly changed and is now limited to matters “for which the council has a responsibility and a direct control over and … has the power to implement”.
They must be submitted via a new template created by the council aimed at making them “precise, concise and relevant”.
However, the changes sparked concerns during the debate from both opposition groups.
Councillor Jason Zadrozny (Ash Ind) is the leader of the Independent Alliance opposition group, which claimed it was being “gagged” by the council during a staged photograph outside County Hall.
Cllr Zadrozny said: “I can honestly say councillors will have the least power they’ve ever had.
“This is creating a democratic deficit, one that turns the vast majority of this council into mere spectators.
“We are now experiencing a repressive county council stamping down on dissent.
“It’s like living in places like North Korea. Now they want to shut us up, [it’s] plain and simple.”
Cllr Michael Payne (Lab), who represents Arnold North, also criticised the changes and said previous motions – such as calls to investigate Nottingham maternity failings – would “not see the light of day” under the amendments.
He added: “So many issues where there has been a political consensus in this chamber would not have found themselves to the fore.
“What an incredibly sad day for this chamber. There was a time when it was a place where people could come to argue their corner and debate honourably.
“These are issues that affect the people of Nottingham and Nottinghamshire.
“It’s the start of a slide of this once-great democratic institution.”
But Cllr Philip Owen (Con), chairman of the council’s governance and ethics committee, defended the amended constitution.
He said “We had a cross-party working group [which provided] a set of suggestions and recommendations for approval at this council.
“[They will] make the operation, particularly on full council day, more efficient, effective and relevant to the residents of Nottinghamshire.
“Some members have difficulty in putting together motions in a precise, concise and relevant way. We have produced templates to allow members to put in a motion … and the second for an amendment.
“The changes, overall, are moderate and minor. I expect they will be accepted without discussion.”
